KUALA LUMPUR: Umno does not want a repeat of the 15th General Election, when Malay votes were split three ways, said Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.
The Perak menteri besar said this was the reason why the party should not go it alone in the next polls.
"I don't think it is a good move to go solo. We must have an understanding (with other parties).
"There are lessons we need to learn. In the 2022 election, when Barisan Nasional went solo, there were many three-cornered fights, which caused Malay votes to be split three ways.
"Some went to PH (Pakatan Harapan), some to PN (Perikatan Nasional) and some stayed with Umno, and this led to Umno's downfall," he said in an interview with 'Berita Harian' yesterday.
Saarani said the best decision was for the party to collaborate with others and ensure a straight fight between the opposition and the unity government parties.
"In the Pulai by-election, PH fielded a candidate and Umno helped to campaign.
"In the Pelangai by-election, it was BN's seat and PH came to help. It was the same case in Nenggiri."
He was commenting on Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's policy speech yesterday, which raised questions about the best political strategy for Barisan Nasional after previously going it alone.
Zahid had said Umno members alone could not secure the party's victory and said the decisive factor would be non-members, who made up a larger percentage and number.
Meanwhile, Saarani said the more dominant party in a seat should be a factor in determining seat allocations.
He said another consideration should be the amount of votes gained in the last elections.
"First, we should consider who first held the seat.
"If the seat is held by PN, then we should see whether PH or PN was the more dominant party.
"Instead of losing and being the opposition, it is better to win together to form the government."